Appointments

Appointment slots are for 10 minutes for both doctors and nurses. Chronic disease management appointments, carried out by Nurse Practitioners Russell and Edgar and Practice Nurse Davidson, will generally be for 20 minutes. The receptionists will ask why you require an appointment for a nurse in order to establish which nurse you see and how long the appointment will be.

If you wish to speak to a doctor or a nurse the receptionist will ask for some details plus a contact telephone number and then pass your message on to doctor or nurse who in turn will call you back or give the answer to the receptionist to pass on to you.

Emergencies can always be fitted in, though you will be asked to see the most readily available doctor. It is helpful if you telephone as early as possible for an emergency appointment and give the reception staff as much information as you can. This will be treated with total confidentiality and will help us to organise the surgeries with as few delays as possible. For administrative reasons, return appointments cannot be made more than one month in advance.

We also offer appointments out with our normal surgery times. These are available early morning (before 8am) and on Saturdays. Please ask reception staff for further details.

Disabled Access

Wheelchair access to both buildings is via a ramp at the front entrances. All patient services are provided at ground level and a disabled WC is available at both sites. Disabled car park facilities are marked in the car parks

Home Visits

Home visits are for patients who are too ill or frail to attend surgeries. Please try to request home visits by 10.30am.

Be prepared to give brief details of the problem so we can assess the urgency of the visit. It is appreciated if patients can attend surgery if at all possible. This is usually quicker for the patient and makes best use of the doctor's time.

It will not always be possible to see the doctor of your choice if you request a home visit. If the patient needs to be seen urgently please let the receptionist know.

You can be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.